Health Net Steps in with Medi-Cal Dental Coverage in Los Angeles County

Health Net of California, Inc. is restoring dental benefits for its adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Los Angeles County whose coverage was eliminated in 2009 due to state budget cuts. For More Information Health Net Medi-Cal BenefitsHealth Net Insurance for IndividualsHealth Net, Inc. Online Newsroom "Dental benefits are just as essential as medical benefits," said Robert Shechet, DDS, director of dental programs for Health Net of California. "Studies have shown that poor dental health can lead to heart attacks, strokes, premature or low-birthweight deliveries, diabetes complications and other serious medical conditions. Through this offering, Health Net is helping Medi-Cal beneficiaries be healthier."

Health Net of California already provides comprehensive Medi-Cal medical benefits to nearly 450,000 beneficiaries in Los Angeles County. In total, Health Net of California provides Medi-Cal coverage in 10 California counties to more than 700,000 individuals, and it provides Healthy Families coverage to nearly 150,000 individuals in 35 counties. It also provides dental coverage to nearly 50,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries in both Sacramento and Los Angeles counties, and to about 90,000 Healthy Families members (see also Health Net of California, Inc.).

Health Net of California's dental plan for Medi-Cal beneficiaries ages 21 and older in Los Angeles County provides access to such essential services as routine cleanings, oral examinations and X-rays at no cost to the beneficiary. Studies have shown these services may reduce the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes - such as pre-term or low-birthweight deliveries - diabetes complications and heart disease.

"Health Net is committed to helping Californians be healthy," said Dave Meadows, Health Net of California's vice president of State Health Programs. "We believe we are the only health plan in California extending dental benefits to adult beneficiaries, and providing substitute dental benefits to adults in the Medi-Cal program until the usual or similar benefits are restored is one more way we are working to preserve California's medical and dental safety net."

"Continued access to dental care is crucial for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and even more so for those with disabilities and other challenging medical conditions," said Irma Resendez, founder and president of Familia Unida, a non-profit organization serving thousands of individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis and other conditions in Southern California. "Too often, we see people whose dental conditions deteriorate and later become medical problems because they do not have coverage for dental care and cannot afford to visit a dentist."

A similar substitute dental program was unveiled by Health Net in Sacramento County in 2009 and quickly became a popular benefit among adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

"We expect a similar favorable response in Los Angeles County," said Meadows.